Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus



Aug. 4, 1925. 1,548,075

H. A. WALLACE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed D90. 1922 l Il INVENTOR a. u -M M4 ATTORNEY vention, and will then point out PatentedAug. 4, 1925. l

UNITED STATE HERBERT A. WALLACE, or

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY,OF 'SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT A; WVALLAcn, citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRailwa Traffic Controlling Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to railway traffic controlling apparatus, andparticularly to apparatus of the type wherein governing mechanism on thecars or trains is controlled by energy received from the trackway. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to the trackway portion ofsuch apparatus.

I will describe one form of railway traflic controlling apparatusembodying my inthe novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic View showing the trackwayapparatus of one form of railway traflic controlling apparatus embodyingmy invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference character 1 designates the trackrails of a railroad over which traflic normally moves in the directionindicated by the arrow.

'These rails are divided, by means of insuimpedance lated joints 2, intoa plurality of insulated track sections A-B, B-C,.etc. Each of thesesectionsis provided with a source of track circuit current-which, asshown in the drawing, is the secondary winding 5 of a track transformerdesignated by the reference character T with an exponent correspondingto the location. This secondary winding is connected across the railsadjacent the exit end of the section: Interposed between one terminal ofthis secondary 5 and the upper one object of which is to limit theoutput of the transformer to a safe value when its associated section isoccupied by a train. The primary winding 6 of each transformer T isconstantly supplied with alternating current from line wires 3 fed by agenerator 4. Each track section is also provided with a track relay,designated by the reference character R with an exponent correspondingto the location, track winding 8 and a local winding 9. The trackwinding 8 is connected across the rails adjacent theentrance end of thesection. Thus each track section is providedRAILWAY-TRAFFICF-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Application filed December 4, 1922.

rail of each section is an and having a Serial No. 604,662.

with a track circuit which includes a secondary winding!) on atransformer T, an impedance 7, the rails of the section in series andwinding 8 of a track relay B. Each track relay is also provided with arotorelement 10 and a movable contact linger 11 operated by this rotor.When winding 8 is energized and winding 9 is energized with current-ofwhat I shall call normal relative polarity this contact finger is swungto the right so that normal contact 11-12 is closed. When winding 8 isenergized and .winding 9 is supplied with current of what I shall call.reverse relative polarity, the contact linger 11 is swung to the leftand reverse contact 1113 is closed. When the supply of current to eitherwinding 8 or winding 9 is discontinued the movable contact finger 11assumes an intermediate position and opens both the normal and reversecontacts.

Each track section is provided with a resistance 19 connected across therails adjacent the entrance end of the section, a similar resistance 22connected across the rails adjacent the exit end of the section, and twoadditional resistances 20' and 21 connected across the rails at. anintermediate point in the section. v

Each track section is also-provided with a signal, here shown as athree-position semaphore signal, and designated by the referencecharacter S with an exponent corresponding to the location. Each signalS is controlled in the usual manner by the associated track relay, thecircuits for such control being omitted for all signals except S for thesake of simplicity; Referring particularly to signal S it will be plainthat the operating mechanism of this signal is supplied with currentfrom transformer and controlled byoontact 40 of relay R so that whenrelay R is energized in the normal direction signal S indicates proceed,when relay R is energized in the reverse direction signal S indicatescaution, and when relay R is deenergized signal S indicates stop. Eachsignal is provided with a circuit controller D which is closed when thesignal is in the proceed or the caution position as wellas any positionbetween the two but which is open when the signal indicates stop. Eachsignal is also provided with a pole changer P which operates in theusual and well known manner when the signal indi- R wire 3 1, resistance19, through the rails ofthe section A-B in parallel to resistanceQO'tlience by wire 32'back to the right hand 'terminal of winding 18 ontransformer G The current which is supplied to the rails of the sectionin multiple I will hereinafter term local current as distinguished fromthe current which is supplied to the rails of the section in series andwhich I will call track circuit current. The winding 17 of transformer Gis provided with a circuit which passes from its left hand terminalthrough wire 28, resistance 21, through both rails of section A-B inparallel to resistance 22, thence through wire 31, normal contact 1112of relay R wire 29, signal circuit controller D and wire 27 back to theright hand terminal of winding 17 of transformer G This circuit isprovided with a branch which passes fromwire 31 through reverse contact11-13 of relay R and wire 30 back to wire 29. Thus it is evident thatlocal current will be supplied to the rails of the section A-B betweenthe resistances 21 and 22 as long as'signal S is at caution or proceedand the relay R is'energized in either direction. Theprim'ary winding 16of transformer G is supplied from secondary winding 14; of transformer Ewith alternating current of normal relative poposition corresponding "tothe caution and proceed indication of'the signalS and of reverserelative polarity when this polechanger is in the positioncorrespondii'igto stop indication of the signal S The priinarywii'iding,15-of'transformer'E is constantly supplied with alternatingcuri'ent from the line wires'3.

Before explaining'the operation of the system as a whole it should bepointed out that the trackway apparatus here shown is intended forco-operat'ion with train carried governing apparatus which operates inthe "followingm'aiiner: When the train occupies a portion of track whichis'supplied' with track circuit current and also with local current ofnormal relative polarity, the gov erning'apparatus'permits thetrain toproceed at a high speed such as miles per hour. When the track issupplied with track circuit current and withlocal current of reverserelative polarity the govern ing apparatusprevents the train from-proceeding at speeds above an intermediate issued to Lloyd V. Lewis'onSept. 20', 1920.

The operation of the entire apparatus is as follows: As shown in thedrawing, a

train V occupies the section to the right of 1 Ci This tie-energizes therelay R and causes the signal S to display a stop indication. As aresult local currentof reverse relative polarity is supplied to winding9 of relay R and to the rails of thesec'tion BC between resistances 19and 20,but no local current is supplied-to the rails of this sectionbetween resistances 21 and 22. Track circuitcurrent is suppliedto'the'rails of the section"BC. The relay R is consequently energized inthereverse direction,

the signal S is at caution, and local current of normal relativepolarity 1S supplied to winding 9 of relay R and to therails of sectionA-B throughout itslength. 1

Track circuit current is also suppli-ed'to the rails of this sectionand'the signal S is at proceed. If a train were proceeding in thedirection of the arrow itwould be able to move at high speedthroughsection AB.- At-tlie resistance 19 in section B C how ever the reversedlocal current would cause the governing apparatus to i reduce its-speedto 35 miles per hour but it could not-pass 'beyond resistance 21 insection B C at larity when the pole changer P is in the speeds lDGXCQSSof 15 miles per hour due to the interruption of local current.- Be-"yondthepoiiit C its speed will be restricted to 15 miles perhourbecause of the'interruption of track circuit current due to theshort :circuitin'g of the corresponding track transformer by the wheelsand axles 'oftlie train V.

One rfeature of my invention is the pro vision of means forsupplyingwinding :9 of track relay R with current frointhe'circuit which supplieslocal current" to the track rails.

"the other,'and tlie'supplyof current to' 'oneof the two co-operatingwindings of the-track relay so as to polarize this relay for the usualpurpose of causing thetwo signal indications caution and proceed. Thesetwo functions have previously required two separate line circuits, andhence by virtue of my present invention I am enabled to eliminate atleastone line wire from each track on which the system is installed.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form and arrangementof railway traflic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it isunderstood that various changes and modifications may be madethereinwithinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my what I claim is: 1. In combination, a railwaytrack divided into sections, a source of alternating current connectedacross the rails of each section, a relay for each section having twowindings the first of which is connected across the rails of thesection, said relay 'being responsive to reversals of the instantaneousrelative polarity ofthe current supplied to its second winding, atransformer for each section having one secondary for supplying currentto the second winding ofthe relay for such section, and to the rails ofthe section in multiple from the entrance end of the section to anintermediate point there in, said transformer having an additionalsecondary for supplying current to the rails of the section in multiplefrom said intermediate point to the exit end of the section, and meanscontrolled by each relay for supplying alternating current of oneinstantaneous invention,

relative polarity or the other to the primary of the transformer for thesection in the rear and for at times interrupting the supply of currentto the rails from the additional secondary of the transformer for suchsection in the rear.

2. In combination, a railway track divided into sections, a source ofalternating current connected across the rails of each section, a relayfor each section having two windings the first of which is connectedacross the rails of the section, said relay being responsive toreversals of the instantaneous relative polarity of the current suppliedto its second winding, and means in each section controlled by trafficconditions in advance for supplying alternating current of oneinstantaneous relative polarity or the other to the track rails of thesection in multiple and to the second winding of the associated relay.

3. In combination, a railway track divided into sections, a source ofalternating current connected across the rails of each section, a relayfor each section having two windings the first of which is connectedacross the rails of the section, said relay being responsive toreversals of the instantaneous relative polarity of the current supplied to its second winding, a circuit for the second winding of eachrelay including the rails of the associated section in multiple and asource ofcurrent, and means for each section governed by trafficconditions in advance for varying the relative instantaneous polarityotthe current from said second source. r r

i 4. In combination, a railway track divided into sections, a source ofalternating current connected across the' rails of each section, a relay"for each section having two windings the first of which is connectedacross the rails of the section, said relay being responsive toreversals of the instantaneous relative polarity of the current suppliedto one of its windings, a circuit for said second winding of each relayincluding the rails of the associated track section in multiple and asource of alternating current, and means for each section governed bytraiiic conditions'in advance for reversing the instantaneous relativepolarity of one of the currents supplied to the track rails of thesection.

5. In combination, a railway track divided into a plurality of insulatedsections, means for supplying an alternating current to the rails ofeach section in series, a relay for each section having two windings, asignal for each section controlled by trafiic conditions in advance, apole changer and a signal circuit controller for each signal, meanscontrolled by each pole changer for supplying alternating current to oneof the windings of the relay of the section next in rear and to therailsof that section in multiple between the entrance end and an intermediatepoint in the section, and means controlled in part by each signalcircuit controller for supplying alternating current to the rails of thesection next in rear in multiple between the exit end and anintermediate point in the section.

6.- In combination, a railway track divided into a plurality ofinsulated sections, means for supplying an alternating current to therails of each section in series, a relay for each section having twowindings, a signal for each section controlled by traffic conditions inadvance, a pole-changer and a signal circuit controller for each signal,means controlled by each pole-changer for supplying alternating currentto one of the windings of the relay of the section next in rear and tothe rails of that section in multiple between the entrance end and anintermediate point in the section, and means controlled by each signalcircuit controller and its associated relay for supplying alternatingcurrent to the rails of the section next in rear in multiple between theexit end and an intermediate point in the section.

7. In combination, a railway track divided into a plurality of insulatedsections, means for supplying an alternating current to the rails ofeach section in series, a relay for each section controlled in part bysaid current, a transformer for each section having a primary windingand two secondary windings, a signal for each section controlled bytrafiic conditions in advance and having a pole-changer and a signalcircuit controller operated thereby; a circuit for one of the saidsecondary windings, including a winding on said relay for the sectionnext in rear and the tack rails in parallel between the entrance and anintermediate point in said section; a circuit "for said secondtransformer secondary including the track rails in parallel between theexit end and an intermediate point in said section and the associatedsignal circuit controller; and means controlled by the associatedpolechanger for supplying alternating current to the primary of eachsaid transformer.

8. In combination, a section of railway track, a track relay comprisingtwo co-operating windings, atrack circuit for said section including oneof said windings, means for supplying alternating current to said trackcircuit, a local circuit including the remaining winding of said relayand at least one rail of said section, means for supplying said localcircuit with alternating current of one instantaneous relative polarityor the other,'and trackway governing means controlled by said trackrelay in accordance with the relative polarity of the currents suppliedto the two windings thereof.

9. In combination, a section of railway track, a track relay comprisingtwo co-opcrating windings, a track circuit for said section includingone of said windings, means for supplying alternating current to saidtrackcircuit, a local circuit including the remaining winding of saidrelay and at least one rail of said section, means for supplying saidlocal circuit with alternating current of one instantaneous relativepolarity or the other, and a trackway signal for said section controlledby said relay and arranged to indicate caution or proceed according tothe relative polarity of the current supplied to the second winding ofsaid relay.

10. In combination, a plurality of sections of railway track, a trackrelay for each section, comprising two co-operating windings, a trackcircuit for each section including a source of alternating current andone winding of said relay, a first local circuit for each sectionincluding the remaining winding of the associated track relay and atleast one rail of the associated section, means for supplying each suchlocal circuit with alternating current of one relative polarity or theother, a traclrway signal for said section controlled by said relay andarranged to inclicate caution or proceed according to the relativepolarity of the current supplied to the second winding of said relay,and a second local circuit for each section including at least one railof the associated section and controlled by said relay.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HERBERT A. WVALLAGE.

